The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1887-11-24

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Every week brings to ~ new evidence Of the
great Interest that the Southern people are TAX
ing in tho subject Of ramie. The past season
has witnessed the starting of good many ramie
plantations These extend In scattered section .
from the Atlantic 10 the Pacific. In Texas nd
California there IL much enthusiasm. In Louis
lana there are numerous plantations. and in
South Carolina and Georgia the rice planters
are dividing their interests between rice and
Famie.
OF course none of these plantations can be
called extensive as yet, but there is every prom
ise that many OF those who are seeking to diver
sify their crops will engage largely in the indus
try. This fall there will be reaped a very good
beginning crop, the most satisfactory feature Of
which Is that there are already bids for all that
can be brought into the market in q decorti-
Gated state.
The decortication of ramie simply means the
separation of the fibre from the woody portion
of the plant, and this Is effected by machinery.
Those who offer to buy the fibre in this condi-
ton, expect to separate the gummy substance
from the fibre themselves. This degumming Is
effected by chemical processes that involve an
expensive plant-at leastif it is sufficiently well
done to ct the fibre for spinning.
1t is expected that the ramie decorticator W i'll
take the same position in relation to ramic cul
ture that the cotton gin holds in relation to the
cultivation of cotton II is to be owned and oper
ated, as a rule, by the planter himself, while the
degumming process will be worked in connec
ton with the manufacture of ramie, or by special
companies conveniently located.
The decortca tors put upon the market, at
least two or three of them will do good work,
but are probably more expensive than they
need be. We are pleased to learn, therefore, that
the International Fibre Company, of New York,
Is building a new decorticstor upon the same
principle as the one they are now 80 successfully
using, to do the same amount OF work, and at
the same time to be much lighter, and to- sell at
price that will put them within the reach of
every planter who may enter into the cultivation
OF ramie. This company also offers to buy every
pound of ramie that may be raised in the coun
try.
The Rsmie Spinning Company which is con-
trolled practically by the same parties. is daily
expecting the arrival from Europe of their de-
cumming and spinning machinery, and expect
to begin operations in both departments, as soon
as the machinery can be put in place. The
company will not locate at Newburgh as form =
ly proposed, but in Jersey City, N. J.
We shall, therefore, shortly witness the mar
keting of ramie, and its spinning and weaving
In this country, as new home industry, from
seed to loom and one that bids fair to command
q wide interest throughout the country.
Concerning the character and uses of the
ramie fibre, it cannot be too often repeated tina,
it is the strongest and most varied in its adapta-
blity TO uses of any fibre. 1t is six times as
strong as fax, and three times as strong as hemp
1t is almost as glossy as silk and can be
spun as fine. The gloss will not work of
or be lost by washing, as in the case oil
fax when put into damask cloth. For all
kinds of cords and thread it has no superior
1t mixes well with wool and cotton, and pro.
duces fine effect. Under large cultivation, j,
will rival any of the fihres in cheapness, and be
serviceable for ropes cables and sails, to which
it is particularly adapted by reason of its great
strength and durability. 1t is pronounced 10 be
very superior lint. and we are told thai
| physicians and surgeons are ready to use it ir
| preference 10 anything else.
| While ramie will he valuable for mixing with
wool, cotton and silk, it is not to be considered
as a hostile rival to these products 1t may be
regarded as in some measures hostile to fax and
hemp ihrea. But these we have to import
though We InI>c nUuuuauCe max.
Ramie is easy Of cultivat ion and easy of prepa.
ration for market, and its manufacture is not de
H.
therefore, the seeds of genuine home Industry
whose future is full Of great possibilities, suff.
GENTLY defined to command q degree of conf.
dence not usual to new undertakings Merchant
| World